Jewelry Box

Three or four years ago I had an unfortunate accident in the kitchen that involved the loss of my wedding band.  I had just gotten home from work, and was washing a couple dishes in the sink, when suddenly my blue topaz ring slipped off and fell down the drain. My first instinct was of course to panic. I called my husband hysterical and told him what had happened, and he said to turn off the water, and just leave the sink alone. When he got home we called a plumber to see what could be done. The plumber said as long as the ring hadn’t been flushed out of the pipes, it would still be under the sink.  The next day the plumber arrived, took apart most of the sink, and after some time pulled out my wedding band.  I was so relieved, that I think I hugged him.

I learned my lesson, and would put it to any women or men out there who have a thought of washing dishes with their wedding ring on… don’t!

Some may say there’s no such thing as love at first site, but for me and my husband Jerome it happened. I had been a single Mom for five years, my love life was a joke, and I was beginning to feel like I would never find the right man. Last autumn a girlfriend of mine invited me to her annual family picnic. I really wasn’t looking forward to it, but that day I prepared my famous deviled eggs, packed up my son and set out for the park where the picnic was being held. Well, I ended up having a great time. My friend’s family was amazing. And, as the sun set and the day neared an end, my son begged me to let him have a hot dog before we left.

II was there at the grill that I met Jerome. As he looked up from flipping a few burgers, we made eye contact, and I just knew I would marry this man. Six months to the day later he proposed to me, presenting me with an antique 14k yellow gold ring that had been in his grandmothers. We have been married for almost a year now, and I know that for me at least, love-at-first site exists.

More and more often couples are tiring of traditional wedding themes, and looking for unique alternatives. An Irish or Celtic wedding theme, for example, is a way of getting in touch with Irish heritage, while keeping your ceremony different from other ceremonies. Throughout history most Celtic wedding ceremonies were held during one of the four major festivals; Beltane, Lughnassadh, Samhain, or Imbolc. For couples planning winter wedding themes, planning the wedding during Imbolc, which starts on Feb. 1, would be the logical choice.

Many looking forward to a Celtic-themed wedding will choose Celtic-love-knot wedding bands, or an emerald ring to symbolize the Emerald Isle. Those couples also may choose to don traditional Irish dress for the ceremony. Brides who decide to wear a traditional Celtic wedding dress may also wear a colorful Kinsale cloak. Grooms may wear traditional Celtic garb to match the bride, or a green cummerbund and tie.

Within the world of jewelry, there are many metals that are highly desired. The most highly sought after are gold, silver, and platinum. If these metals are out of your price range, however, there is an alternative that many people turn to in sterling silver. Sterling silver is an alloy, meaning it usually consists of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent other metals. Most commonly, this additional metal is copper, but it can be other types of metal.

While sterling silver is typically less expensive than other types of metal, some people actually prefer this alloy. This is because fine silver is often far too soft to be practically used in large products such as cutlery. By alloying the silver with copper, the overall metal is given more strength and durability. If people are concerned with reducing the amount of tarnish on a given metal, copper will sometimes be replaced with zinc or even platinum. One of the most common uses of sterling silver is in jewelry, and this includes everything from sterling silver rings to sterling silver necklaces.

Used in jewelry and as a home décor accent, onyx has a wide variety of uses. A form of quartz, onyx is typically thought of as wholly black, but it actually comes in an entire range of colors. While black is indeed the most common variety, onyx with bands of color is also possible. The name “onyx” actually derives from the Greek word for claw or fingernail. Demonstrating its range of color, it was so named because of its flesh tone color.

Onyx today is most known for its use in jewelry, and as such, it is common to see everything from a black onyx ring to colored onyx pendants. Its use, however, extends back to the Greeks and Romans. There is evidence of onyx being utilized in art forms at Crete, and it was also incorporated into pottery and bowls in Egypt. These instances date back as far as the Second Dynasty. For the biblical adherent, onyx will be recognized as having been referenced in Exodus 25.

In these hard economic times, it can be difficult for people who are considering marriage. Men want to impress their prospective fiancées with massive diamond rings, but with unemployment through the roof and everybody cutting back, that’s just not as possible as it was a decade or two ago. If this is the situation that you’ve found yourself, don’t be afraid to tell your girlfriend the issue. Propose as planned but fill the box with a garnet ring instead of a diamond.

Explain that diamonds just aren’t feasible right now, but you don’t want to put your plans on hold just because of funds. Hopefully she’ll understand the situation. And the best part about a garnet ring is that the stone is still extremely beautiful. She’ll be getting a lovely piece of jewelry along with her romantic proposal. And if she wants, perhaps the ring can be exchanged for a diamond once the job market and the economy in general show some promising signs of life.

There is one piece of jewelry that I have always wanted. It is an intricate vintage blue topaz ring of my great grandmothers. I have wanted to wear this ring ever since the first time I set eyes on it while on my mother’s finger. Too bad great grandma passed the ring down to mom and not me.

Recently someone surprised me, it was my mom. I had a school dance coming up and mom offered to let me wear it! I was shocked and so touched that the started crying then and there. My mom knew how to make me happy, that’s for sure!

Are you shopping for jewelry?  Be adventurous. Shop with a friend and don’t be afraid to try everything. Browse the display together. You never know, a second opinion can be useful. Examine the rows of rings. You will find plain ones or more elaborate pieces studded with diamond.  An emerald ring for instance can make a perfect accessory to your new evening gown.

Look around some more.  There are sapphires and pearls attached to chains.  Check out the dangling earrings.  Laugh together.  Your great big smile will be a nice complement to the piece of jewelry you decided to buy.

Rings come in various materials. Depending on what their purposes will be, the choice is up to the buyer or user. For engagement or wedding rings, 14k yellow gold rings seem ideal. Quality wise, they will prove to be a wise investment. Since a 24k gold ring, being the highest quality of gold, is very expensive, having a 14k yellow gold ring will be a sensible replacement.

Aside from engagement and wedding rings, there are also friendship rings, anniversary rings and practically any ring that will symbolize anything between two people.  14k gold rings will always serve their purpose. In any circumstance, owning a 14k gold ring will always be satisfying and worthwhile for its owner. It really only depends on the taste and needs of a person. As some may say, whatever the case, you will always be a winner.

Going steady with someone for the first time is a thrilling experience. Promise that you’ll love her forever with a sterling silver ring. The sweet and stylish heart design features two hearts joined together. Your girlfriend will surely be proud to wear this on her finger.This sterling silver ring is very stylish, it also serves as a fashion statement. Young girls and single women will love this too. Sterling silver is a standard in the world of jewelry as a high-quality and durable metal. It is made up of over 90% silver mixed with alloys to add strength so it won’t easily wear down as silver plating does.